WDEL Athlete of the Week

Middletown's Wade - WDEL Male HS Athlete of the Week

VIDEO: Interview with Darius Wade

Middletown High School quarterback Darius Wade is this week's WDEL Male High School Athlete of the Week.

The junior both threw and ran for a touchdown in Middletown's 35-28 Division 1 State Semifinal victory over Caesar Rodney Friday night.

Next up will be Middletown's 3rd straight championship game appearance with Wade under center as they face off with Salesianum. What has Darius learned from the two previous experiences?

"I didn't know, it was my first time (in 2010), I didn't know what to expect, it was such a big situation. But now I know how to prepare, how to focus, not to get too overwhelmed by the situation, but know it's a big game and to prepare for it correctly."

Darius says he's worked hard to make improvements he thinks would impress the freshman version of himself.

"Overall my Football IQ. I pride myself on watching film, continually trying to become a better quarterback each and every day. Pretty much from freshman to this year my accuracy, I always pride myself in being an accurate quarterback. I'm strong armed, but that doesn't always get it done, I pride myself in being able to get things done with my feet, and my intelligence."

Wade is the signal caller on a team loaded at the skill positions, but says quarterback wasn't his first love in youth football.

"I always wanted to be a running back. I remember looking at Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk, all those guys, it seemed like so much fun. But when I saw that the quarterback gets the ball every play, I was kind of a ballhog when I was younger, I found out that it was a position I liked. I had a strong arm and I just kept working at it."

Wade will likely be a popular figure on the recruiting trails next year, but says he is interested in aspects of environmental engineering.

"(I'm interested in) how it works. It's interesting knowing how we can harness energy from all different places and things that aren't fossil fuels. It can help individual areas and families, but also the entire world, and I just want to make an impact.